Chailicious is THE COZIEST spiked latte for holiday nights.
Quick Summary
Chailicious is a quietly dangerous winter latte — rich chai spices, decadent coconut creaminess, and the soft warmth of bourbon all fused into a smooth, aromatic drink that feels indulgent without crossing into heavy. It’s festive, low-stress, and wildly sippable, the kind of batch cocktail guests inhale without realizing how much they’ve had. Ideal for holiday hosting, it stays warm in a slow cooker, welcomes garnishes, and tastes like a spiced Kentucky hug.
Why This Chai Latte Works
The magic of this cocktail comes from balance — rich but not cloying, spiced but not aggressive, boozy but not fiery. Chai tea forms the backbone: warming spices, tannin from the black tea, and an aroma that feels instantly seasonal. It sets the stage for the creaminess to come.
Unsweetened coconut milk adds body, smoothing the edges of the tea, and contributes just enough natural sweetness to keep the drink from feeling dull. Unlike dairy cream, it doesn’t weigh the drink down when heated, which is why you can sip more than one without crashing into richness. (I sometimes choose light coconut cream for this if I’m mixing for a large crowd .
Bourbon or rum delivers the warmth — vanilla, caramel, and a holiday glow that builds. It integrates beautifully with the chai’s cinnamon, clove, cardamom, and ginger. Amaretto gives a soft almond depth and a subtle cookie-like sweetness, while orange liqueur keeps the drink from becoming one-dimensional.
The final effect is something between a cocktail, a cuddle, and a holiday dessert.
How the Flavor Evolves
Like the best winter drinks, Chailicious improves as it warms and rests (even if it’s batched and kept in the fridge between servings. As the latte base heats in the slow cooker, the spices in the chai expand, the coconut milk gains silkiness, and the bourbon infuses more deeply into the mixture.
Once held on WARM in the slow cooker, the flavors stay stable and welcoming for hours. This is part of what makes Chailicious a gift to hosts: you get a cocktail that self-manages. Guests serve themselves, the flavors stay consistent, and you get to enjoy your own party.
Tips & Tricks for a Better, Batched, Hot Chai Latte
Batch cocktails with milk or milk alternatives benefit from a few smart decisions. These tips keep your Chailicious silky, smooth, and balanced throughout the night.
- Brew your chai strong. Weak tea gets lost once you add spirits and milk. For this I use strong brewed herbal chai or chai concentrate.
- Use unsweetened coconut milk. Sweetened versions overpower the spice balance. If I’m making a double batch, I split the amount between regular and light coconut milk to keep the drink from becoming too thick.
- Keep the slow cooker on LOW to heat, then WARM. Boiling splits coconut milk and dulls spice and causes the alcohol to evaporate.
- Warm your mugs. A quick rinse with hot water keeps the latte hot longer. Or, keep them in a warm oven, heat them in the microwave for a bit, or put them near the vent on the stove to use that heat while you’re cooking.
- Stir occasionally. Coconut milk can settle slightly; a gentle bottom-to-top stir keeps texture velvety and the drink well-combined.
Variations to Try
This spiked chai latte batch is endlessly adaptable. Try one of these variations to suit different gatherings or flavor preferences.
- Extra creamy: Add ½ cup heavy cream or canned coconut cream.
- Lighter: Use light coconut milk or split coconut milk and almond or soy milk.
- More spice: Add a pinch of fresh grated ginger (or white pepper), ground cardamom, or a cinnamon stick during heating.
- Sweeter: Add an ounce of honey syrup or brown sugar syrup.
- More citrus-forward: Increase the orange liqueur to 2 oz total.
- Dessert version: Top with whipped cream and a dusting of fresh ground cinnamon or cocoa.
- Zero-proof: Swap bourbon for non-alcoholic whiskey and omit the liqueurs.
What You’ll Need
Here’s the quick prep list — everything you’ll gather before jumping to the recipe. No amounts here, just the essentials.
- Hot chai tea, brewed strong or concentrated
- Unsweetened coconut milk
- Bourbon or rum
- Amaretto
- Orange liqueur
- Cinnamon sticks or star anise
- Whipped cream (optional)
- Ground cinnamon or chai spice for garnish
Other Cocktails You Might Enjoy
- Salted Caramel Orange Hot Chocolate
- Hot Buttered Rum Cider
- Smoke and Oak – Smoked Hot Chocolate
- Chai Infused Hot toddy
- Best Hot Toddy
- Best Cinnamon Toddy
- Bourbon and Beer Toddy
- Gingerbread Buttered Rum Mix
Recommended Bar Tools
You don’t need every slick, beautiful bar tool out there, but there are several I’ll recommend. (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. However, that does not affect the cost of the items below.) My favorite pieces usually come from the Cocktail Kingdom section of Amazon:
You may already have these bar essentials, but just in case:
Chailicious: Bourbon Chai Latte
Ingredients
- 4 cups hot chai tea
- 2 cups unsweetened coconut milk
- 1 cup bourbon or rum 80–95 proof
- 1½ oz amaretto
- 1½ oz orange liqueur
Instructions
- Combine the hot chai, coconut milk, bourbon or rum, amaretto, and orange liqueur in a slow cooker.
- Heat on LOW until steaming but not boiling.
- Switch the slow cooker to WARM for serving.
- Ladle into warmed mugs.
- Garnish with cinnamon sticks or star anise. Optional, but suggested to top with whipped cream and a light dusting of chai or cinnamon spices.
